Is Western Sexually Repressed?

You can say all these same things about Western and psychedelic drugs.  Many students are religious and these subjects make them uncomfortable in any setting they're discussed in. The only thing you can do is find like minded people within the college that you know you can talk about most any topic, and it won't make there eyes widen.

Just hang out in the art department.

Yeah I'm mostly English... though when I've hung out with my friend who's a web design major I've met some fun people. Sadly she's graduating though.

Yeah I agree I'm not getting enough sex.

wait was I typing outloud again o shi

Maybe you're the exception to the standard of sexual openess and the other students are the norm rather than Western being the exception to the sexual openess standard whereas you would be the norm.

I don't know, I feel like Western is very sexually repressed. But then again, I feel like a lot of Washington is. I myself am bi, and just recently I was spending some time with my half-aunt (she's 17) who was in Seattle for a bit. She lesbian and butch. All of a sudden, the nice places in Bellevue and Seattle (where I grew up) that I was always given the upmost respect and amazing customer service at were treating us like crap. They would barely give her the time of day, and many of the associates were in a hurry to get us in and out as quickly as possible. She even bought something for her gf at Tiffany's and the associate was hurrying us along. Not to mention the number of looks we got for her being a butch lesbian and walking around with another girl, even though we in no way implied with body language that we were sexually together.

At Western, people stare and don't like to talk about such things. Why can't they just accept people for how they are and be happy that they're happy? In classrooms its like the topic is passed over, and people either don't know what to say or can't seem to say anything nice or intelligent. There is no reason why we should treat racism with such high regard but totally ignore the LGBTQ community.

That's wild.  You must have had some strange, or at least uncommon experiences.  I'm an English lit major and we've had plenty of sexy-time talks in all of my past lit classes.  It is a must to distinguish between gender and sexuality when dissecting literature (Victorian era, especially), so I find it highly interesting that a discussion of that nature was avoided in an English class.  Since it's one of my favorite topics, I'd likely notice if Western was particularly uncomfortable with the subject. 

Yes, most definitely!  I would say Western is repressed, compared to where I think it should be.  Sexuality is something natural and a part of the human experience.  We need to realize that we're all human.  It's all about free love.

I feel that it really comes down to the type of people you talk to, and the level that you know them. With a lot of my friends, we talk very openly about sex stuff and porn and its nothing to us. However when you are in a class room of strangers, with this being a very diverse college, some people are open about this, like you and myself. Though many people due to possibly religous feelings or just personal ones about the subjec in general, due to how they were raised or the environment they were raised in, don't think its comfortable or just not the place to talk about it. So I think its maybe not so much western is repressed, its just become a norm possibly that this subject should not be so open in a casual or class room setting. I think it is sad that it is repressed the way it is because we are humans, biological machines that feel pleasure for it and for procreation. Both are essential to life and part of our life purpose I think. Having pleasure in ones life, and the continuation of the species.

Well, it's one of everyone's favorite subjects though most are afraid to admit it. And I've had some discussions about sex, but they're very high-schoolish and... I dunno, the only word I can think of is "inexperienced" but that's not quite right. Like a few people giggling over some random sexual sidenote... high school stuff.

And again I'm not so much saying I'm the norm because I know that's definitely not true, but I feel that here at Western (and again, not blaming the college, it's just the setting) it's more uncomfortable than anywhere else I've been in my life. I just think it's very interesting that a place so progressive and so supposedly mature seems so sexually held back. I think we gotta start hosting drag shows in Red Square or something to get people to knock it off with the sexual shyness and discomfort.

"I think we gotta start hosting drag shows in Red Square or something to get people to knock it off with the sexual shyness and discomfort"

Yeah, that's just what we need.  My sexuality is no more your business than yours is mine.  Hey, I like it as much as anyone but that doesn't mean I feel the need to discuss it with you or anyone else I don't know on a personal level.  I think you've got some serious issues to resolve and FYI, the fact that you need to discuss it openly might be equated to "high schoolish" behavior to some people, me included.

Why don't you tell us exactly what you think we all need have a discussion about?  Define "progressive", first off.

I say you have an orgy of one. 

Damn, good idea!  Orgy in Red Square!

 I think a lot of people take for granted just how open it is here.  Having lived in the deep South for much of my life, most recently in South Carolina all through high school and while i was a freshman in college, I've definitely seen some sexual repression.  There are openly gay people there, no doubt, but they are vastly outnumbered by openly homophobic people.  For example, a friend of a friend got beat to death outside a bar because he was gay. That isn't to say there are no problems with homophobia here in the Northwest, but this community, at least in comparison to the conservative Republican nest that is Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, seems to accept diversity with open arms.  When I first moved here 2 years ago, I felt like I was in a wonderland where practically anything was allowed and accepted.  I've been inspired by the amount of people who seem to have their own unique identity and aren't afraid to show it. Maybe that's the naive Southerner in me, but I truly recognized B'Ham as a more open-minded atmosphere.  

Also, my classes here have been so open about sexuality that they almost make me blush sometimes!  I'm also in the English department-- just take a class with Dietrich and you'll get plenty of sex talk haha.  Also, keep in mind that you have a teacher that decided to show you Paris is Burning-- to me that's a testament to the openness of Western.  It will never change that sex is a sensitive subject to talk about for some people, especially in a classroom where some people might not be comfortable with speaking out at all, let alone about sex.  

I think Western does a great job of making all of its students feel accepted and able to express themselves, sexually and otherwise.  

First of all, I really love how diverse the responses you have been getting are. Secondly, the people at Western are truly as diverse as all of the responses you have been getting. That said, I believe that Western is NOT nearly as sexually repressed as you seem to have experianced. I'm very glad you can speak up in your classes about sexuality and be okay with it. I LOVE discussing sexuality purely because I feel like it is very much a taboo topic that shouldn't be taboo at all. I also would highly encourage people not to let a "religious" stereotype get in their way. Most would probably consider me the religious type, and yes, I am a Christian, but that's not about to keep me from being open minded and discussing ideas, even on sexuality. I would GREATLY appreciate it, actually, if people would stay away from that stereotype as if it's the "religious folks'" fault that sexuality is so taboo. We all have free will and the capability to use your mind, so please do...Everyone.
Anywayz, to me, there is a lot of evidence that Western is not sexually repressed. One instance would be such classes as the LGBT Experiance. I took this class last winter quarter and was highly enlightened by it. Found it rather fascinating, actually. However, like my classmates and I established at the start of every class, you have to be willing to speak, knowing that no one has the intention to offend, but we all have different life experiances, and we should not assume things about one another. (Too bad the world can't function as peacefully, eh?) There's more than just that class too offered at Western, and even like someone else here has stated, english classes can cover these topics as well. In fact, in my liberal studies 121 class I took the first quarter I took after transferring into Western, we discussed homosexuality and such in the class. It just depends on who's in the class with you and if there isn't a pre-set basis of comfort or anything like that, of course you're gonna get the feeling that sex is a repressed topic here. Not many people I know of like to offend people, and that's only one excuse people can use as to why they don't speak up.
Also, just like the person ahead of me has stated, you're actually blessed to be living in a typically more open region on the topic of sexuality. I have friends who are gay from the midwest, and they don't get this kind of openness typically, especially in the college aged kids. I recently inquired of my friend's story who came out of the closet a year ago, he stated in a recent email that usually the people who give him the hardest time when he is with his partner are college kids screaming, hooting and hollering at them from their cars and across campus. In fact, Oklahoma City's "community house" for homosexuals to be able to meet and everything is located in the ghetto part of town (which I'm sure a lot of ppl who might read this might find it hard to believe that Oklahoma is anything other than that, and that thought just makes me sad) and it's right next to a crack infested whore house. AWESOME.

So, no offense intended, but go out and find more education on the topic if you feel repressed about it. Start a drag show if you like in Red Square, they do PLENTY of other things in there that others don't like, or disagree with, or Heaven forbid actually piss people off. Keep speaking up in your classes, welcome people into the conversation so that they might feel more comfortable talking about sex and all that it entails, but also be ready for the stupid ones who will never stop with their immature remarks. Don't wait for the world to educate you, go find your education and help some of us repressed folk get educated too.

Kthanx.

Don't know much but we were watching Adventureland at Summerstart Orientation; everybody was laughing pretty comfortably.

I think you're misunderstanding me. I don't want every girl I know to divulge their darkest fantasies or craziest experiences, but I feel as though people I've met here at Western tend to hold sex as some great taboo. I've always fought against taboos because I can't stand the censorship of it, but sex is something absolutely integral to the human experience, so for people to react aggressively and angry as though it's some massive crossing of a boundary is a sign that people are uncomfortable with sexuality.

And progressive... well people here at Western are very active about environmental conservatism, about animal rights, about co-ops instead of larger corporate franchises... traditional left-ish political views that push boundaries. So I think that it's ironic that most of the girls I've met here are very open about pushing for change to environmental regulations, animal rights abuses, and student co-ops... and yet they're still ashamed of their sexuality.

Generally I do. Well not so much the drag shows but about speaking my mind. I just feel like I'm talking to a wall at many times when the discussion moves toward an issue of sexuality and people seem too ashamed or uncomfortable to discuss something so essential. I guess "repressed" wasn't the best choice of word... but it seems like there's a lot of shame and avoidance regarding sex here at Western.

My goal in any class ever is to not start a pointless and stupid debate that never has a resolution. So basically if something like that is brought up, I sit quiet because I dont want some ridiculous religious debate to flare up and get the discussion way off topic.

P.S. bisexual? make up ur mind already! sheeeeeeeeeeesh

Thanks for starting this thread, flieder.  I don't know if you recall, but I started a thread almost a year ago attempting to generalise human sexuality, and one of my goals was to get people talking about their sexuality, to loosen up a bit.  I feel that yes, indeed, there is repressiveness on campus-  but compared to say, YVCC, it's like fetish night!  I'm of the opinion that sexuality should be openly discussed.  I'll bring that thread back, hopefully, to allow renewed discussion with incoming students or others who weren't on these forums in "the old days" of a year ago...

Oh, and in response to the just-now incoming poster:  I'm bisexual too.  It's not a question of making up your mind; human sexuality is not simply a duality of polar opposites, despite what so many have been led or taught to believe!  Check out my thread.

http://forum.wwu.edu/node/599

Cheers.

Isn't part of the point of college to stimulate our minds and push us into intellectual confrontation? I've very many times discussed/argued with a religious person about the values of organized religion, and every time that debate ends in them freaking out and resorting to name-calling because their arguments run dry. I honestly don't care about convincing those with irrational hate, because they're unconvinceable. You can never change extremists, but discussing issues like sexuality, while bringing out the extremists, will also help to convince others that maybe it isn't something you need to hate yourself for.

Agreed x10000000.

I have to agree with the people who would beg to differ with you flieder. Recently in my Japanese Literature in Translation class we spent a good portion of our classes discussing sexual deviancy in all its flavours and were were hardly "high school" about it and in fact were very mature about the fetishes discussed in the books we were reading.The cross section of people you are commenting about are small portion of Western. And how is sexuality an absolutely essential human experience? I would hardly consider myself "sexual" and I'm certainly not "missing" something essential to myself. Compared to various parts of the United States, or even Washington for that matter Western is highly open and accepting. We have an active LGB community. I just don't see how this "sexuality" is so essential to all of us.

Maybe Western isn't repressed or ashamed. Maybe people just like to keep their sexuality private. Is that wrong? Personally, I think it's rather classy. We can still talk about sex and gender, and we do. But... I guess I'm just not understanding what more you want us to discuss? Personal experience? Why should I discuss that with people I don't know?

Do you think our sex-saturated media could be influencing us to believe that cultures like that of WWU are sexually repressed? Which standard are we holding ourselves to and why?

Both of these people are showing exactly what I'm talking about. Comfortable with sexuality isn't about shouting out all your experiences, but being okay with the fact that sexuality isn't something you need to hide. It's something that most people do in some form or another on a regular basis, and it's been shown that a healthy sexual life (whether by masturbation or sex with another person) is essential to overall health.

So I don't care about what turns someone on (well that's not really true, but in this sense it is), because that's not what I'm getting at. I'm getting at the fact that Western seems to have a very Christian-induced ignorance toward sex as though it's something that needs to be ignored and shunned in "polite" discussion. It's not just that I don't get to talk about sex in all my classes, but it pervades the people I've met as though sex is something that shouldn't be discussed. There are so many different forms of cultural repression that this view towards sex causes (girls, you don't need to answer this but just think as to whether or not you know how to give yourself an orgasm - guys, realize that the pressure is put on you to automatically perform, as well as submit to a woman who'll "let you" have her, because the view of sex is a bizarre patriarchal one... hell, to add to that, one of the biggest problems with sex and our culture is that women are expected to be pure, so they're the ones in positions of power because it's viewed like they have something to lose. So many different sexual power dynamics are rooted in this view toward sex it's stupid).

And no, media saturation isn't a driving force of desire for sexual openness, but a symptom of sexual repression. That's why people like Desperate Housewives and reality TV shows where everyone's cheating on everyone else and there's so much drama and excitement and bizarre, disgusting quasi-vicarious-sexuality. Media saturation is playing into the repression and allowing people to get their jollies off in a very unhealthy way. If people were really comfortable with sex then incredibly idiotic shows that do nothing but offer low sexual gratification through side-symbols would never be popular because people wouldn't need to find outlets for their sexual repression.

Nobody wants to talk to you about psychadelic drugs because it is illegal and can potentially get them into trouble.  Just because you don't follow the rules doesn't mean other people have to be comfortable with it.  Cry me a river then go shroom up.

As far as sexuality is concerned, it is something that is naturally private to us.  To have sex publicly is an anomaly because it is against our evolutionary and social instincts; other aspects of sexuality, and not just sex, are equally private.  Talking about these things in a public setting is engrained in us as something that we shy away from.  You don't talk about your sex life with people you just met.  It would be rude.  To overcome these boundaries requires trust and openness, which is something we just do not share with people we don't know.

This isn't sexual repression for the most part, it's just human nature.  As far as class discussion is concerned, that's a tougher nut to bust.  I mean, crack.  I suppose that the same boundaries apply, and that people aren't open because they don't trust you, or others in the class, to be sensitive with that information.

It's unfair to hold others to your standards of sexual disclosure and label them as "repressed" because they don't want to talk about all the chicks they've banged.

But there WAS this one girl, let me tell you.  Ba ZING!

 "Progressiveness" indeed. Sexual repression is inherent all over the US. I say this given my experience living in WA OR MD and NC. It is socially ingrained from a young age by parental methods that go contrary to the media's influence. Sex, race, and topics of the like are as welcome in the classroom as they are at the dinner table. (unless you take classes like "sex and society" which i think everyone should take among many other things. something mind expanding perhaps.

i think sex is a private and sacred thing, not something to be gallavanting around about ya know? i wouldnt use the word repressed to describe it, rather a respectful hush that i think is good. i think western is quite verbal about sexuality. i actually would prefer less vocality. i feel like having sexuality always on display cheapens the beauty of this intimate part of who we are as people. but thats just me.

And yet this kind of thing is on the news. And just this evening I saw on KING 5 a story about the prevalence of self-taken webcam porn among teenagers. So maybe it's not openness in general but specifically the LGBTQ (Treats!) side of sexuality and sexuality as a non-superficial, objectified thing.

It's interesting that you express concern about your classmates' sexual repression, since Thor Hansen's Monsters class includes a "Monster Sex" lecture that's standing room only every quarter, including volunteers, personal stories, and all kinds of fetishism/deviance. By far the most interested that I've seen any students in any of my classes.

 Anyone ever been to a Sexploration meeting (I believe its put on by the sexual awareness center)? I would say that right there goes against the idea of us being "sexually repressed". These groups get together and have talks about topics regarding sex, in a positive, safe, and fun environment. Go to one of these if you'd like to have a good talk about sexuality and topics regarding sex.
Anyhoo, last year we had Babeland come and give a wonderful presentation about sex and they had no qualms about discussing just about any way you could think of to get off, regardless of your sexuality preference. That same week i believe Dr. Sue Johanson came and gave a presentation as well.
In fact, Western was actually featured on Bill O'Reilly's shitlist for being too sexual. We wanted to celebrate national outdoor intercourse day, I believe, and that week I think the school was going to show a porno in one of the theatres. However, to be fair, it was shut down once the bad publicity got out.

In sum I tend to agree with thorkic, however I feel like this may show that, in theory Western is further along, but maybe not in practice. I mean, my experience when I lived in Hawaii was one where people were much more sexual in nature...and the fact that people wore less clothing I think helped that :D

I've never heard this. Where'd you hear this?

So, lately, I have been pondering how our perceptions affect our views on things, and how often our perceptions are tainted by either our emotions/feelings, or other factors that aren't necessarily true. For instance (in basic form), how you can walk by someone who you think is staring at you so you immediately feel self conscience and thus wonder why they were staring at you, when in actuality that person was only staring at you because they thought you were staring at them, and in truth, you kinda were. Although unintentional, there were still meaningless stares exchanged ending in a false perception. All of that said, and once again not meant to offend, it might be a healthy idea to check your perceptions. There's a lot of people it seems to me that are disagreeing with you and making valid points. However, there's still the possibility of you being correct, but I am just not finding your arguments as solid as others'.

You mention that you think Western has a "Christian-induced ignorance towards sex". I'm curious as to what makes it Christian induced? To me, personally, that statement seems rather ignorant of Christianity, and also comes off as judgemental, which seems unfair. So, I'm just wondering about where this idea that it is Christian induced comes from?

Also, although it tends become a power struggle I don't believe sex was ever meant to be a power struggle. Men and women should be unselfish enough to help their partner work to orgasim as they too are working toward orgasim. It shouldn't be a power struggle, it should be an even match. Wouldn't that justify calling it LOVE? And thus also why it is referred to also, as "Making love"?

On the topic of media being a advocate for sexual repression, I am very confused as to how you are justifying this...? The world is kind of obsessed with sex. (Please, correct me if I'm wrong.) Although, I quite agree it is unhealthy, I would also agree that "repression" may not be the word you're looking for. However, I can't read minds, especially through the internet, so you may have to help me out here with words that might fit better what you mean. All in all, sex feels good. People tend to go after things in life that make them feel good. Sex is also a very popular candidate for this. Also, as the cliche goes, "Sex Sells!" Not to mention, the overpowering addiction that can stem from getting into sex because of the euphoric feeling the raging hormones in your body can leave you with once you have experianced orgasim either through sex with a partner or even masturbation.

There's countless ways that the world has screwed up sex and how amazing it could actually be. What else would you like to address on these topics?

Do women have to wear burqas at WWU?

No?

Then WWU is not sexually repressed.

The American social structure is Christian based. It pervades our culture in the same way (because burkas were mentioned) that Islam pervades a country like Iran. At the base of our social views toward sex is Christian doctrine with purported ideals like if a woman is discovered to not be a virgin on her wedding night she should be dragged in front of her father's house and stoned. It's gone through evolutions, and in all fairness you can blame Europe more directly because of the amount of time in Europe Christianity was given to absorb into government. If you look through our country's history, Christian theology is everpresent. Our views toward sexuality are a result of that Christian saturation into American society. I'm not necessarily trying to bash Christian theology here, but just pointing out that it's ingrained in a lot of our social values, hence our views toward sex.

This seems very naive to me. Maybe in romanticized ideals love is a perfect union between equals, but many staunchly feminist theorists have suggested that sex is about relinquishing control and regaining it. The sharing of sexuality is about being powerful or powerless, which is why we have various forms of sexual fetishes involving blatant loss or gain in dominance. It's also unfortunately the basis for rape, because the rapist has a mental need to exert dominance in a place where they feel powerless.

People watch soap operas because they're ridiculous. Everyone's screwing everyone else and everything is at stake all the time... it's an insane amount of excitement. That's why people like it; it's so over-dramatized and sensational that people can vicariously experience intense drama without any risk to their own life. It's a device for people to experience something in an unhealthy environment because they don't have any healthy outlets through which to seek excitement. With sexual repression it's the same way. People are uncomfortable with their sexuality, so they need to find outlets for their pent-up sexual dissatisfaction. Suddenly TV shows about perky little 15 year old girls become wildly popular, TV advertisements that appeal to erotic desire become the best-sellers, and shows about women screwing half the town are intensely watched because people need the vicarious outlet for their repressed sexuality.

I think the comedian Doug Stanhope summarized it well when he said that if all women were forced to wear gloves, suddenly you'd have hand porn, and that thumb/index-finger cleavage would be incredibly sexual. The social taboo reinforces desire, so because we're not supposed to be sexually open in our society we need to find a way to appease that desire, which is why we've come to the point where we have to hide our sexuality and exercise workarounds and voyeuristic alternatives, because we've been taught we can't be comfortable with regular sexuality.

I guess I just want people to be aware of the fact that there's absolutely nothing wrong with sexuality. It's nothing that needs to be hidden and nothing you need to be ashamed of. The only reason it's viewed like something that needs to be ignored or held private is because of the socio-religious values written by old men in robes a couple thousand years ago.

EDIT: I think I fixed it, though I'm a bit drunk at the moment. Crazy autoformatting...

messy at best.

Flieder I think you got some of your quoting wrong there

hmm usually in my english and communications and even my PE 201 class have all been very open to the discussion. yes some are quieter than others and some are most likely uncomfortable, but the more people we have who are willing to be bold and bring up the issues the better.  If you portray that you are comfortable discussing the issues, then it'll make the environment more comfortable for everyone and will rub off on others.

As for finding supportive people who are very open about sexuality, I am a co-facilitator of a club on campus called QWEST (Queer Women Empowering and Supporting Together) and we are a club open to everyone that focuses on queer women and LGBT Issues.  This is a supportive place to go to talk about these hot topic issues, as well as a place to just hang out, network with others, and to play games and have fun! It's a great bunch of women :) (men you are welcome to come support too if you'd like lol).  You should let your friend know about our group. we have a facebook too!  And you'll be able to find us at the red square info fair right before fall quarter starts!

 I guess I just don't get what more you want out of Western. I've found that whenever sexuality is discussed in any of my classes, there are always people who are excited to talk about it, people who sit quietly, people who leave in the middle of class, etc... it's like any other topic of discussion.

Sure, not everyone embraces the subject, but you're never going to get 100% class participation in anything. I think you'll find that as far as universities go, Western is about as open and accepting as it's going to get. If you need more than that in the way of discussion/actions, you might consider starting a club or something.

Messy at its best.

Quoted for truth!

And I heard that in Anth 201 - sex being a private thing we don't share with others seems to be a nearly universal truth across cultures.  Some obvious exceptions apply.  Man, was Eyes Wide Shut hot.

And I would love a video of that Bill O'Rielly thing.  For kicks.

I think I'm still being misunderstood here. I don't care to have people walking up to strangers and divulging their sexual appetites and experiences. That's not what I'm talking about. If someone wanted to keep their sexuality private then that's fine with me.

What I'm trying to talk about is this sense of shame and ignorance regarding sexuality. As though people have no choice but that they HAVE to keep it private because only crazy perverts can have open discussions about sex. And obviously you can't be comfortable having sex with someone whose company you enjoy unless you're in a serious relationship. People who are okay with any form of sex outside of a serious relationship are just dirty whores. And if you're horny then SHAME ON YOU! Horny = DIRTY!!! How dare people sully the pure with their notions of sexuality!

^^ Obviously exaggerated, but that's more what I'm getting at. People here at Western seem to be ashamed or afraid of their sexuality moreso than all the other places I've lived. Obviously it's a little different depending on your group of friends, but I feel as though the general mood is reinforcing the "get drunk -> get laid -> hide your shame" view of sexual gratification that needs to go away. Not in a "let's all talk about sex" kind of way... that'd be like saying ending racism is as easy as banning racial slurs. Just removing the derogatory view of sex, which persists in American culture... even here at WWU.

The is an address to the original post. 

Why should anyone expect others to be open about their sexuality? It's all relative these days, so be satisfied. But, there are those that believe in an objective morality when it comes to sexual preferences.  Many will be in conflict with this state of mind.

What is odd, is that we have now identified our being with our sexual preference, which I think, is disrespectful.  Personally, I think acting out upon a  sexual preference should stay personal and not public.  The only way to respect everyone is to keep it to your self, unless we are in a mediated dialogue in which we could learn from one another with the absence of condemnation.

 I disagree with sexual discrimination, but sexual repression involves a force, and I am not seeing it.  

You could say that a lot of them are religous but maybe they are just shy or uncomfortable about thier own sexuality. Maybe they are hiding something that they don't want just some conversation in class reveal, there are a lot of circumstances that could lead to the silence not just religion.

Oh man. I just hope it's not like that when I get there. :(

But that's like saying if we ban all racial slurs we'll end racism. I'm not saying that everyone needs to divulge their every sexual desire to be free. It has NOTHING to do with sharing sex stories or something like that, it's the general mood of people who seem to be ashamed or ignorant of their sexuality.

is fear.  In an ideal environment, people most likely wouldn't hesitate to reveal their thoughts and/or feelings on almost any subject.  However, in an environment where there is the possibility of being rejected, discouraged, or judged for having certain personal feelings or beliefs, a majority of people will keep to themselves.  The environment we have is a culture based on(for the most part) christian beliefs and morals, and so discussing something that would supposedly send you to hell if done before marriage (or in any way not covered by the guidelines/expectations of a christian marriage) strikes much fear in the general population (even if only subconsciously).

Given that, I'd say that Bellingham, or more specifically WWU, is one of the more open places about sexuality that I've seen.  In addition to the afore mentioned Sexual Awareness Center, there are numerous clubs and organizations regarding people of various sexualities.  I basically live at the PAC during the school year, where there is quite a diverse population as far as sexuality is concerned.  From what I've seen and experienced, not one has been treated any differently from anyone else, and we discuss sexuality and sexual matters quite often.

I do agree that sexuality is essential as a part of the human experience.  We are by nature sexual beings, not only in that we require it to reproduce(traditionally), but also in that we use it as a way to connect emotionally and physically with other people.  This is quite a profound and wonderful experience, and we should be able to openly discuss it within our society.  If someone goes skydiving they are sure to discuss the experience with others, are they not?

It was earlier stated that sexuality is, by human nature, a private matter.  I find this amusing, as by it's very nature it is very much a shared matter.  It is a private matter in the perspective of select organized religions.  If you wish to observe human nature and sexuality, might I suggest Thailand as an appropriate case study.

Thank you for starting this thread, Flieder.  It has been quite interesting reading the various responses.

I haven't read eVeRy comment so excuse me if this has already been said....

I think the openness of discussion all depends on the setting.  I have to say that the most annoying thing I find about Western is the unwillingness of students to speak. I understand that people may be shy but I have been in so many larger classes (60+) where the professor asks the class a question and everyone just stares and blinks their eyes.  In one class I found myself saying things just to break the awkward silence.  In the smaller classes, obviously people are more comfortable and we end up having a lot interesting discussions.  My one exception (someone else mentioned this too) was the Monsters course. A good chunk of the class participated and it was pretty large (especially on Monster Sex day).  Basically, I don't feel that Western is sexually oppressed, there are many examples to the contrary. I just feel that way too many people are afraid to voice their opinions. Speak up people, it feels good!